secondary preference for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary preference for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lesser or subordinate choice or inclination towards something compared to a primary preference. Example: "In our survey, we found that participants had a secondary preference for online shopping over traditional retail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the North Atlantic, it feeds primarily on calanoid copepods, specifically Calanus finmarchicus, with a secondary preference for euphausiids, in particular Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Thysanoessa inermis.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although the s-Adh was clearly distinct from clostridial primary-alcohol dehydrogenases (Chen1995) that reduce butyraldehyde into butanol, the s-Adh showed activity on both primary and secondary alcohols, with a preference for secondary ones (Ismaiel et al.1993).1993

AMB Express

Here, the chemical nature of side-chains is not as much of a concern as the defined native contacts themselves although any amino-acid preference for secondary structures can be taken into account in the pseudo-dihedral potential as in the Karanicolas-Brooks model (Karanicolas and Brooks, III 2002).

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

The secondary structure assigned by DISICL suggests that the secondary structures for the ligand-prefer ϕ/ ψ boxes are promiscuous and do not show a preference for specific secondary structures.

BioMed Research International

A five-membered ring amino acid (Ac5c), the peptides of which exhibit a preference for helical secondary structures, was introduced into peptides for the purpose of designing coiled coil peptides with high binding affinities.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

There was no effect of plant origin (native versus exotic) on woolly bear feeding preference for plant secondary chemistry (Fig 1 inset; mixed model ANCOVA F1,38 = 0.2186, P = 0.76).

Plosone

Secondary outcome measures are patient preference for adjusted dentures, patient assessment of comfort and taste (using a 5-point Likert scale) and preference of the impression materials, patient assessment of comfort, mobility, chewing efficiency of the dentures (using 5-point Likert scales).

BMC Oral Health

The identification of amino acids in Miller's list in Table 2 (bold-italic) shows that, in most cases, they remain the most abundant amino acids in modern proteins (columns Ept, Hpt, Apt) and have a specific pattern of preference for specific secondary structures (columns Ess, Hss, Ass).

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

The simulation results reveal that 10-alanine peptides are very flexible, with no preference for any stable secondary structure.

Plosone

Individual patient factors (such as preference for primary or secondary care settings and teams), individual staff factors (knowledge, workload, motivation and interest in mental illness or CHD screening) and communication factors could produce inconsistent levels of CHD-related care in either primary or secondary care settings.

BMC Psychiatry

The a-SFs associated with secondary twins are always positive once the primary twin is activated, thus predicting no obvious preference for the selection of secondary twin variants.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing choices or priorities, use "secondary preference for" to clearly indicate an alternative option that is not the primary one. This helps avoid ambiguity in situations where multiple options exist.

Common error

Avoid using "secondary preference for" when you actually mean the preference is unimportant or negligible. "Secondary" implies it still holds some value or relevance, just not as much as the primary choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary preference for" functions as a modifier to indicate a non-primary choice or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English and serves to clarify that the preference is subordinate to another. The examples provided through Ludwig show how it's used to express a lesser liking or priority.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secondary preference for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a non-primary choice or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, the phrase serves to clearly distinguish between primary and subordinate options. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with a true lesser choice rather than implying insignificance. Alternatives include "lesser inclination toward" and "subordinate preference for", providing nuanced options for expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subordinate preference for

Replaces "secondary" with "subordinate", emphasizing the lower rank or importance of the preference.

lesser inclination toward

Uses "inclination" instead of "preference" and "toward" instead of "for", softening the strength of the preference.

weaker predilection for

Substitutes "preference" with "predilection" and "secondary" with "weaker", indicating a less intense liking.

alternative choice of

Focuses on the choice aspect rather than the preference itself, implying a selection that is not the first option.

fallback option for

Highlights the idea of something being chosen only if the primary option is unavailable.

reserve selection of

Similar to 'fallback option', this suggests a choice held in reserve.

contingent preference for

Implies that the preference is dependent on certain conditions or circumstances.

conditional liking for

Similar to 'contingent preference', but emphasizes the 'liking' aspect and its dependence on conditions.

qualified endorsement of

Suggests a preference that is not absolute but comes with certain reservations or limitations.

auxiliary fondness for

Uses "auxiliary" to indicate a supporting or supplementary fondness, not the main one.

FAQs

How can I use "secondary preference for" in a sentence?

You can use "secondary preference for" to indicate that something is your second choice or a less favored option. For instance, "While I enjoy coffee, I have a secondary preference for tea".

What are some alternatives to "secondary preference for"?

You could use phrases like "lesser inclination toward", "subordinate preference for", or "weaker predilection for" as alternatives to "secondary preference for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "secondary preference to" instead of "secondary preference for"?

While "secondary preference for" is the more standard and widely accepted construction, "secondary preference to" might be acceptable in certain contexts where you are explicitly contrasting two items. However, "secondary preference for" is generally preferred for clarity.

How does "secondary preference for" differ from "primary preference for"?

"Secondary preference for" indicates a choice that is not the first or most favored, whereas "primary preference for" indicates the most favored or initial choice. Understanding this distinction is crucial for clear communication.